Cardinals Falter Against Illinois to Open the ACC/Big Ten Challenge

Friday, February 17

Atlanta, Ga.

1:00 PM

University of Louisville

Illinois

Photo by: Chad Harmon

Cardinals Falter Against Illinois to Open the ACC/Big Ten Challenge

February 17, 2023 | Softball

Box Score

Cards fall 6-1 to Illinois in the opening game of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge

By: Lori Harmon

ATLANTA – The University of Louisville softball team lost 6-1 to Illinois in the opening game of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Friday afternoon at Georgia Tech's Mewborn Field.

The Cardinals (4-2) return to action on Saturday when they take on Wisconsin at 10 a.m. followed by a rematch with Illinois at 12:30 p.m.

Senior Daisy Hess went 2-for3 with an RBI and freshman Sarah Gordon tallied two hits to lead the Cardinals at the plate, but Louisville stranded six runners in the game.

After the teams played through a scoreless first inning, the Illini (3-3) broke through with a solo home run from Stevie Meade in the second.

The Cards had a chance to score in the home half of the second inning when Hess led off the frame with a bunt single, Gordon followed with a hit and sophomore Korbe Otis was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Illinois starter Tori McQueen retired the next three batters to end the threat.

The Illini used three hits and an error to put up a three-spot in the fourth and added an unearned run in the fifth to take a 6-0 lead.

The Cardinals got on the scoreboard in the sixth inning when Otis led off with a single and graduate senior Taylor Roby followed with a walk to set up Hess's RBI single, bringing the score to 6-1.

Freshman Alyssa Zabala (2-1) took the loss, surrendering five runs, three earned, on six hits and striking out six in 3.2 innings of work.

McQueen (1-1) picked up the win for Illinois, allowing one earned run on six hits and striking out four in a complete game effort. Avrey Steiner went 3-for-4 to lead Illini at the plate.